Books and Manuscripts

New York: Rusling Wood, (ca. 1917). Printed for the United States Food Administration. Group of two color lithographic posters, including the very rare printing in Yiddish, as well as the printing in English. Condition: C; scattered chipping and small losses along edges of each; sello tape repairs along bottom edges of each. Each measuring 30 x 20 in. (762 x 508 mm). Rawls p. 113; Magnes 16

A rare Yiddish printing of this World War I United States Food Administration poster, including a copy of the more common printing in English. To reach the widest possible audience this poster also appeared in Italian, Spanish, and Hungarian.

"The United States Food Administration was organized in 1917 by executive order of President Wilson. It was administered by Herbert Hoover to send food products to Europe during World War I. This poster, directed toward American immigrants, asks them for cooperation during the war. The caption reads: 'You came here seeking freedom. You must now help preserve it. Wheat is needed for the Allies. Waste nothing.' In addition to Yiddish, the poster was issued in Italian and English. This is probably why the illustrator, Chambers, chose to portray the immigrants in a generic fashion. Dressed in costumes worn in the old country, the immigrants are depicted in New York's harbor with the Statue of Liberty, the New York skyline, and a red, white, and blue rainbow in the background. The central figure, with one hand firmly placed on a food basket, motions with his other hand toward a ship being loaded--a gesture to impress the viewer with the urgency of providing food for Europe." (Magnes 16)

Deaccessioned by the Valentine Museum to benefit collections care, preservation and future acquisitions.